TSC Threatens Striking Interns .
TSC Threatens Striking Interns . TSC Threatens Striking Interns.
Introduction
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has threatened to fire intern teachers who haven’t reported to work since the second term started. The commission plans to collect attendance reports from all schools on Friday to decide on disciplinary action against those absent.
TSC’s Plan for Disciplinary Action
On Wednesday, TSC Legal Affairs Director Cavin Anyuor addressed the National Assembly Education Committee. He stated that the disciplinary actions will rely on attendance records from school heads, expected at the TSC head office on Friday, May 17.
Intern Teachers’ Defiance
Despite TSC’s directives, intern teachers, supported by the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), remain defiant. They plan to intensify their demonstrations next week.
 Support from Teachers’ Associations
Daniel Murithi, Secretary-General of the Kenya Junior Secondary Teachers Association, asserted that TSC’s requests won’t change their stance. “TSC’s plea for teachers to return to school indicates that they can’t replace 46,000 teachers easily,” he said on Wednesday.
 Legal and Financial Challenges
A labor court ruling in April declared the internship program illegal due to unequal pay for equal work. However, a stay order allows TSC to continue employing interns until August 1. TSC claims it lacks the Sh30 billion needed to permanently hire all intern teachers. Instead, it proposes hiring 26,000 interns in January 2025, requiring Sh8.3 billion for the first phase.
Continued Protests and Budget Concerns
Nearly 60,000 intern teachers boycotted work on Monday, demanding better pay and permanent contracts. Anyuor emphasized that TSC will take action based on the stay order, collecting data to identify who is not in class.
Legislative Reactions
Kitutu Masaba MP Clive Gisairo questioned TSC about the future of the internship program if the courts uphold its illegality. TSC indicated a willingness to negotiate with interns if they lose the appeal.
 Future Negotiations and Financial Needs
The Labor Relations Court ruled the internship program illegal but allowed TSC to continue until August 1. Anyuor mentioned that if TSC loses the stay, negotiations will start for converting interns to permanent positions in January 2025. TSC needs Sh30 billion to employ all interns, with Sh8.3 billion required for the first 26,000 interns.
 Legislative Support
Some legislators support the interns’ demands for enhanced contracts by July. The ongoing conflict between TSC and the intern teachers highlights the financial and legal complexities of the internship program.
